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Richards and Goddard Laboratories building named a National Historic Landmark

Published by jon buono on Mon, 2009-02-02 14:28

photo by Alex Pang

From The Daily PennsylvanianJanuary 28, 2009

"The Alfred Newton Richards Medical Research Laboratory and the adjacent David Goddard Laboratories were designated a National Historic Landmark by then U.S. Secretary of the Interior John Kempthorne. The building is one of nine new landmarks Kempthorne added to a list of fewer than 2,500 buildings nationwide bearing the same designation.

"Kempthorne named the building a landmark for its significant contribution to architectural history "as one of the most important works of mid-20th-century American modernism" and a launching pad for the lucrative career of architect Louis Kahn, according to a press release.

"The building - the final part of which was completed in 1964 - marks Kahn's first to be named a landmark.

"According to University Architect David Hollenberg, approximately 10 months passed between the building's nomination and confirmation as a landmark. The proposal encountered some resistance, however, because the building's age is younger than the requisite 50 years."